Monday, March 29, 2010

As a homeschooling mom, I get asked on a regular basis by “professionals” everywhere from the doctor, the therapist, church leaders, even perfect strangers what my children do for socialization. When was the last time any of them has ever looked me in the eyes and asked, “What do you do for socialization?” I am sure I would remember it, because, man -forget the kids, I need more socialization!

The average homeschooling mother spends many hours a day with the kids educating, mentoring, and inspiring. Add to that the meal planning, preparing, and eating. Housework is multiplied with the family “living” in the home twenty-four hours a day.

We can’t forget the man of the house. He needs quality time with his wife. Oh, then there’s the necessary evils of grocery shopping, appointments, errand running, and any groups or activities the family participates in.

The second the van pulls into the driveway- the kids want to be off fulfilling their needs to play, unwind-and socialize! Where is mom? She is lugging the baby and the groceries inside and collapsing on the couch from exhaustion.

Really sit down and add it up. If I, instead of the children, got eight hours a day in a school environment plus outside activities filled with socialization, honestly I’d be exhausted and just plain overwhelmed. I would be irritable and over-sensitive to what people think of me. I would definitely start worrying too much about what I was wearing every day. Social pressures shouldn’t bother me to that extent, but if I were put in an environment where I was always “socializing”, rarely relaxed, and was never alone with my loved ones during that time- I’d be a mess.

I thought school was invented for educating? When did we get to this point where it is more important for children to socialize than to be educated? Maybe some may say that isn’t so, but then why is that the first question out of everyone’s mouth?

What is the big deal with excessive socializing of the children anyway? They end up spending more time fighting over belongings, food or drinks, running off on their own, or forming cliques. When they finally make it home from all this socializing they are over-stimulated, exhausted and irritable.

Seriously, I think it’s a little backwards. All kids want to play and most get their playtime with playmates after the school (home or public) and chores are finished. Throw in a church activity and a music lesson, and that is plenty of socialization for any one person. Take the mom, she is working hard all day and up most of the night catching up or taking care of kids who wake up, won’t go to bed, or are up puking. She wakes up haggard and worn, ready to rinse and repeat! The mom is the one who needs more socialization.

Unlike children, socialization for a battle-worn mom is refreshing, revitalizing, and stimulating. She returns home after an enjoyable time with friends ready to face the giants-or um little giants. Instead of worrying excessively over whether or not junior is socialized enough, let us keep on doing what we are and worry more about whether poor, tired MOM is getting enough refreshing social time.

Shiloah Baker is a mom of seven, pregnant with #8, married to the man she's madly in love with. Exercise is her vice. She runs a The Homemaking Cottage and homeschools. In her spare time she sews, crafts, writes and reads. Join us at The Homemaking Cottage Deluxe Edition for 1057 ways to improve your home and family! http://www.homemaking-cottage.com/

Monday, March 1, 2010

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Whether or not we chose to believe it, America is in trouble and it’s not just the economy, the war on terror, etc. The real problem in America is that we are being destroyed within by the aristocracy.
This is an excellent book with a warning for us in our day and age. The author explains in simple terms what the aristocracy is and why it is not only a threat to our country (USA) but how it is in practice today and where this will lead.

The author made a point of explaining that today in our country we do not even have core truths. He calls it the “truth trap”. “If anyone mentions values, goodness, or says that something is ‘true,’ she can count on being asked, ‘Whose values?’ ‘Whose truth?’ and ‘Who made you the truth monitor?’” This is a growing trend, especially with the overtaking of Political Correctness. Even within the walls of church I have seen women make a comment and immediately stop mid-sentence afraid that the truth of gospel will offend someone within the walls of our church. This is a sad state of affairs.

Along with the important information shared in this book, the author shares a list of books to read to learn more of what is happening in America and several books on how to make the change.

The author has a way of motivating and exciting the changes that we can make. He closes the book with HOW we can stop the aristocracy from taking over and none of it requires going to battle against the elite in Washington. It is more subtle, in some aspects simple and powerful. I truly believe this can be done. Every American should read this book. Ignorance is not bliss. For the sake of your posterity, today is the day of change. It is vital.

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"A Thomas Jefferson Education looks different in every home—and yours is no exception! Each family, whether large or small, has unique needs, ideas, and traditions, but sometimes, as parents, we try so hard to follow the “right way to do TJEd,” that we lose sight of those things in our homes that work! You have to develop our own style of TJEd—one designed specifically for your home."